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Is to be Healthy again so I can enjoy life with my family and friends.

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216 People
 in progress, 
9 People
 achieved this

Chase my children and catch them

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2 People
 in progress, 
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Surgeon Testimonial

Robert Cole, M.D.
My first Impression of Dr Cole was that he was soft spoken and quiet. He came into the room and talked to both my husband and I. He asked me husband to sit in the chair to my right so he could sit beside me to my left. I have not had someone be THAT informative in so long with my own personal information. It felt great. He was very honest. He said that this is not a fix and would only work for me as much as I was willing to make it work for me.

He was referred to me by a friend who had him as a surgeon and I am so appreciative that she sent me his way. He stated up front that he only does open RNY and that is fine with me. It isnt for everyone. He told me that his only control is how things are handled in the OR.. which is very true. He has no control of how we choose to use the tool after we leave him.

Member Interests
  • Dogs - 1.. Leonitis .. Leo for short
  • Walking - with the kids, dogs or just alone sometimes
  • Music - almost any type.. really
  • Shopping, Bargain Hunting & Auctions - oh wow.. ebay is my friend for sure
  • Outdoor - anything outdoors.. wishing the snow would go away now.. LOL
  • Scouting - my whole family is into scouting for the most part. I am a co GS leader
  • Autism - Youngest son has Aspergers Syndrome amongst other issues
  • Nursing - I am a CNA on a Cardiac Step Down Unit. My Pts are Post Open Heart & Angioplasty
  • Comedy - Love Adam Sandler
  • Goldfish - 5 flourishing fair-won goldfish 2 yrs old and a river minnow LOL

Weight Loss Survey Responses

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Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by Jessica W. on 6/21/08 7:55 pm
    I have been thinking about you nonstop the past few days as I anxiously wait for my day Tuesday & am really nervous. It helps to see you doing well & sounding pretty good. Write when you can... I'm off for mine Tuesday early AM! Congrats!
Click here for the surgery support page
I met with Dr Cole today.. He was absolutely fabulous! I do not think I could have made a better choice in Surgeons. He drew diagrams, ran through numbers and sat and talked with me about my body and the decisions I was to make for it. 
He told me all of the choices available to me and what I would need to do before, during and after to maintain a healthy life. He did not lecture, warn or scold me. He did not tell me that I needed to go back home and do more.He is understanding and just what I needed to find in a doctor.

jessi7675's Blog



I am down by 81lbs!! Where did it go??
4 days ago
OK So I went to the Rheumatologist Monday and they are going to have me get a cervical spine and Lumbar Ct done to make sure there are no major issues and then I am free to go to the Chiropractor. They gave me a wonderful non drowsy muscle relaxer sample and script to try until I go back in 4 weeks. Also gave me cortisone injections in both hips for Bursitis.....

Exciting part is that their scales comfirmed that I am down to 164! That thrilled me sooo much. I mean I can get on and off my scales all I want but when I see it on the dr's scales it just feels so much better! It is now in my chart.. hehe

They said I have good flexibility and range of motion for hearing all of the cracking and creaking going on with the movements she was doing. To which I responded  "I have 4 kids, a hubby, and a job.. I have to keep moving."

After going there I went to work and got the paperwork to enroll in the LPN tuition Program. They will pay 100% if I work for them as such after graduation for 2 years. Totally do-able. It is all filled out and I have 3 co-workers writing letters of referral for me ..(including my Nurse Manager). I got my application into the LPN Program today and it is good to go. I just finally feel that the timing is so right to do this.I will take my entrance exam in December and begin school in March. Session goes from March 2009 to Jan of 2010.

Hubby is working the job he wanted to in high school and slowly but surely I am getting there to the job I have always wanted. I kind of did it all backwards. I had my kids first, got married, made life happen and work and now--- it is time to finish off my dreams. I love my RNY!
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Winter is coming.. feel it in my bones
on November 12, 2008 5:03 pm
I am settled for the winter. Christmas tree just came out. I am at 168 last week. My bones are creaking and settling in for the winter with me so I am going to see a Rheumatologist Monday morning for the first time like... ever. I did have a Dx of arthritis from the Primary with xrays years ago but now treating me is not so simple so he is shipping me off. Which makes me happy. I want to be comfy in my new skin. 

I have worked a few days since I went per-diem and been keeping busy as a mom the rest of the time. The play is wrapping up and Allison has had intense 4 hr rehearsals all week this week. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7p and Sunday at 3p. Alice in Wonderland Jr. It is going to be Great. I will post pics after the weekend.

My new adventure is a big one. I am going back to school in March for my LPN.However I just got a callback on a very exciting job opportunity that I really wanted and think I need to make a major decision. My heart is leading me to LPN... the desire to try something new leads me to the callback. See... it is a callback to a wonderful chiropracters office to work as a Secretary. They will fully train me and the benefits are beyond description. They certainly are not typical in nature but the Dr is very nice and the staff I met is just amazing.

Simply opportunities I do not think I would have taken on without having had this surgery. Really. Whether it be the confidence to walk in there and group interview, or the ability to go out of my "norm" and apply for this different position. I love my RNY!
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I feel changes.. coming on!
on September 27, 2008 3:09 pm
I am down to 181.. size 12. I have put my 2 weeks notice in at work and am almost settled in my new home. I take my Civil Service exam on Nov 8th and hope to be offered 1 of 2 open Secretary positions at our local school. I feel simply wonderful. If I do not get one of those 2 positions I will find something else or go back to school to become a Social Worker. I may even start online courses  to pursue furthering this career while working at the school. Who knows?!?

I just know that when I called and told hubby I was giving my 2 weeks and he said good... I was happy and shocked and sooooo ready for it. I do not want to be a Nurses Aide for the rest of my adult life. I want to work with a team who respects that we are all there to help people together and are all there for the same cause. I have had enough resistance in life--- I am sooo done with that.

I want to be the happy mom who comes home to her family at night, not the mom who spends her days alone cleaning and works the nights away while her family is home trying to do what they must and leaving her hubby to single parent.Simplicity I guess one would say I am getting back to.

Lets get back to the basics of family, and focus on what matters.The rest will fall into place.

My practically brand new bike is over here from the other house... so until I find gainful employment I am going to be riding to the next town over. About a short 3 mile jaunt... and back. I now have no excuse... my tush fits the seat comfortably! I had to have this bike. Rode it once and it was so uncomfy for my over 245 self, but I really wanted to be able to do it. I did. Now I can.

Lets see foods I like right now... hmm I love a wonderful Crock Pot Soup. It is fall in NY and the leaves are changing so walking in the door and knowing dinner is done and hot rocks on!
I like baked foods with sauce and ricotta cheese. It just goes down so easy and tastes yummy.
I still like my protein shakes when I am on the run. But I love my Kashi cereal!
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Taking a few mins to myself...
on August 27, 2008 4:35 pm
I have not posted in a few weeks and think I need to get better about this. Lets see. Going back to work has thrown my body into a different tizzy. I am down to 193. I did have labs drawn thinking my iron was low, and all that came back was low sugar and some slight dehydration. So I am increasing my fluids and seriously making sure I try to increase my carb/ protein intake so they balance each other. Other than that I feel really good.
People at work are always telling me how good I look and complimenting me. Then saying things like.. but we thought you were fine the way you were LOL.
I am size Medium scrubs and can wear a size 14 jeans comfortably. I still wear a lot of my 16s though as it is what I have the most of and just belt em if need be. I find that I am making very frequent trips to the clothing bank to donate and sift through to change out my clothes. About every 2 weeks or so I go down.
It keeps the kids clothes thinned out as well.
I still love my protein shakes in the morning. Now eating about a 1/2 packet of sugar free apple and cinnamon oatmeal sometimes. Love it.

I did dump on bread one day. Made a slice of toast for breakfast, went down sooo nice, kicked my butt! Knocked me out until 1230 in the afternoon. Bread no more for me. Maybe later out.

So thats where I am at right now.Hopefully all is well with everyone!
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6 weeks out yesterday
on August 7, 2008 8:03 pm
Well today I am weighing in at about 202lbs. I went back to work yesterday evening and wowser did it kick my tush. I did ok until about 1030pm and then I just got whooped. I expected it though for a first day back.I also couldn't get people to shut up about the "new Jessica Parker" on the floor and how much have I lost and on and on. I mean I kind of knew it would all be there waiting to greet me but I work on a very busy floor.I had a lot of work to be done. I really appreciated the fact they took notice but I really did it for my health more than anything.However... there is this one nurse who took it as a competition of sorts. At one point offhandedly someone told me how great I looked and she threw out into the air "Well I have lost more than that!" Thats when I started to get annoyed with it all. I just wanted to move on.I was not there to compete with anyone else or overshadow. The only reason I told them why I went out in the 1st place is they all have big mouths and were wondering why the protein shakes and such.
Ok.. on to the good news. Today I went to see Dr. Cole. I love going to see him. He sat down beside me and said look at this, the form with my pre-op and post-op stats on it. Look at what you have accomplished! He was sitting next to me on the bench in his office and put his hand on my shoulder and said "I am proud of you. I knew you could do this." He had me stand up and he took a look and told me what to work on as far as trouble spots go. Reminding me he can and would take care of extra skin if I end up with a rash and/or issues.. just remember to take it to the primary ASAP and have it documented.
He reccommended 2 meals a day as opposed to the 3 of the nutritionist with a nice snack. He said since really my belly is so tiny I do not need all that much yet. Maybe eventually. He will see me in December for a 6 month follow up.
But he did say that obviously something is working right for me.Just pay attention and eat smart.He always makes me feel like I am in such control when I leave there. Next visit I go off Prilosec too... and I haven't taken any arthritis meds since surgery.Colleen has given me so much to work with for nutrition info I cannot even begin to give the Center all of the positive praise they deserve.
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My Story

I am a 32 year old mom of 4 wonderful children. And boy do I need to get rid of some extra baggage that is weighing me down. When I began having my children I weighed in at a healthy 125 and honestly after Tyler.. my 1st son-- thats what I weighed again. Cody.. my Second was born about 17 months later and I kept about 20ish lbs.. and from there it has been an uphill battle so to say. Then my allison was born 3 yrs later, then Austin 2 yrs.. and time just flies and next thing you know between working and parenting and being a wife.. "how on earth did I become this size?" Eating. plain and simple. At first it was a convience thing. Just 2 children it was fast and easy to make prepackaged thing for meals or grab a quick bite out-- not to mention affordable. 
As I grew and the children grew I noticed I was a grazer. I ate more while I cooked because I tended to be focused on serving the kids and getting through the mealtime and on to the next thing... so I really did not sit down and feel myself getting the full benefits of eating a meal.I know this is not a healthy eating pattern. 
Now with 4 kids my focus is keeping them from battles at the dinner table, so it flares up things like Migranes, Stress , Gastric issues and makes me just not even have an interest in eating. I sit and try my best to stir conversation in a positive manner, but have absolutly no appetite by the time I can sit with them--- on the evenings when I am not at work. I work 3-11:30p.m. on a Cardiac Step-Down unit as a CNA. I know what can happen with stressed out overweight, hypertensive people. I see them everyday at work. I need to stop myself from being my own next patient.
I am and have been on a rash of meds for Arthritis, Migranes, GERD, Depression, Vitamins (for chronic mono), Anemia and the last visit he was talking about BP meds when I halted him and suggested this surgery and he agreed  wholeheartedly. Sent me into the Referral Office before leaving the office. I thought for sure It would take a bit to get an appointment but I got the call on 01/22/08 that I have my 1st appointment with Dr. Cole on Feb 29th! I am soooo excited!

 


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